The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) and Florida-based Port Manatee signed an MOU on Monday (May 18) to boost joint marketing and encourage the exchange of information and business insight, the former reported in a release.

FTA to facilitate international financing for infrastructure concessions (Regional)

2009-05-20

The free trade agreement (FTA) recently signed between Colombia and Chile will facilitate the approval of international financing for infrastructure concession projects, an official from Chilean concessionaire association Copsa told BNamericas.

The European Commission (EC) is considering creating a new financial system with Latin American governments to boost key infrastructure projects and allay negative effects the global financial crisis may have on regional investments, Mexican paper Milenio reported.

SCT to date has allocated US$2.70bn for 2009 highway program (Mexico)

2009-05-19

Mexico's transport and communications ministry (SCT) to date has allocated 35.4bn pesos (US$2.70bn) for projects nationwide under its 2009 highway program, the entity reported in a release.

Argentine President Cristina Fernández announced a number of infrastructure development initiatives totaling 571mn pesos (US$153mn) to be carried out in Neuquén province, local press reported.

CAF: Govts need to improve maintenance, regulations (Regional)

2009-05-19

South American governments need to improve infrastructure management and set up independent regulators to ensure proper project inspection and supervision, Andean Development Corporation (CAF) research director Pablo Sanguinetti told BNamericas.